GUIDE.MRD was launched on May 1st 2023, to address how liquid biopsies can improve outcomes for patients. Cancer patients frequently undergo surgery to remove the primary tumour. Our ability to predict whether residual cancer cells present in the body after surgery will contribute to future disease spread, however, is not sufficiently advanced.

The accurate detection of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in patients diagnosed with a solid tumour malignancy remains a healthcare priority since patients who are at risk of future disease spread will likely benefit from additional systemic therapy while patients who are not at risk will seek to avoid side effects from unnecessary treatments. Our public-private partnership aims to address this important healthcare challenge by exploring the role of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as a measurement of MRD through a blood test, commonly referred to as a liquid biopsy. Through careful research projects with patients as advisors, we intend to better understand how ctDNA diagnostic tests detect MRD in lung, pancreatic and colorectal cancers.

Evidence that ctDNA blood test are accurately detecting patients who need additional treatment after surgery from those who do not will help clinicians, patients, regulators and pharmaceutical developers to have confidence in their decisions as they seek to improve response to therapy and overall patient care.